FTC OKs Connecticut Health Alliance

The Federal Trade Commission has approved the affiliation of Hartford HealthCare and Central Connecticut Health Alliance, the parent company of The Hospital of Central Connecticut, the two health systems have announced.

“Combining the resources of CCHA and HHC is really one plus one equals three; the two organizations together are greater than the sum of our parts,” said Elliot Joseph, president/CEO of Hartford HealthCare. “Patients will benefit from the wider continuum of care and better coordination of care that a healthcare system offers, communities will benefit from a broader range of services, and staff will benefit from greater professional opportunities.”

Clarence J. Silva, president/CEO of The Hospital of Central Connecticut and CCHA, called the affiliation “the culmination of a successful 20-year relationship between Hartford Hospital and The Hospital of Central Connecticut. We have a long-standing relationship between our hospitals and health care systems. Together, we know we are making a positive difference for the people of our state.”

CCHA was formed in 1995 by Bradley Memorial Hospital and New Britain General Hospital, and now includes The Hospital of Central Connecticut, a 414-bed, acute-care teaching hospital, Alliance Occupational Health, Central Connecticut Senior Health Services, Central Connecticut Physical Medicine and Central Connecticut VNA.

The two hospital leaders said the affiliation allows them to improve best practices, introduce new technology, improve access to primary and secondary care, and increase efficiencies and lower costs through IT sharing and volume purchasing.

“What does this mean for the patient? It means they have easier access to stronger hospitals and a continuum of care – from primary care, to specialty care, to hospital services, to rehabilitation and long-term care, to home care,” Joseph said. “As a healthcare system, we want to be the patient’s partner for a lifetime of care and the community’s partner in providing services for the health and well-being of community members.”

The affiliation also will improve patient access to critical and complex care, including Hartford Hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center, LIFE STAR transport services, and transplant services. The two hospitals plan to create a unified electronic medical records system, which will enable doctors’ offices throughout Hartford HealthCare to communicate directly with one another.